Wales U20s head coach Byron Hayward has paid captain Alex Mann a glowing compliment by comparing him to Sam Warburton and Ellis Jenkins.
Mann is skipper of the age-grade side for the second Six Nations running after filling the role last summer.
A back-row forward with a big work ethic, who piles up tackles and achieves turnovers, the Cardiff academy squad member has already made his debut in senior rugby, featuring off the bench in the Heineken Champions Cup clash against Harlequins in London last month.
And he has wasted little time making an impression on Hayward, with the new U20s team boss saying on the Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. “He’s an exceptional young man
“He’s very mature, unbelievably driven to be successful and he sets exemplary standards on and off the field. He also demands the highest standards from players around him. You can only do that if you lead by example on the field, in training and playing, and Alex does that.
“I dare…compare him to the likes of Sam Warburton and Ellis Jenkins, particularly when I worked with Ellis when he was at this level.
“I see a lot of those qualities.
“He’ll be an exceptional captain for us this year.”
You can read about the full Wales U20s squad here.
Hayward’s squad is a young one, but they have had two hit-outs against Welsh Premiership opposition and do carry in the likes of Mann, Dafydd Jenkins, Harri Williams, Eddie James and Joe Hawkins, players who appeared at U20s level last year.
While Scarlets scrum-half Williams has been battling injury for much of this season, he has returned to fitness and caught the eye in the 28-14 win over Swansea RFC on Tuesday evening.
“It was good to see him back,” said Hayward.
“He had 20 minutes and he finished the game with an excellent try at the end.
“So Harri is certainly a threat.
“I’m also happy with the other boys playing nine as well. Morgan Lloyd and Harvey Nash have done a good job.”
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